Ecological environment response of benthic foraminifera to heavy metals and human engineering: A case study from Jiaozhou Bay, China

The estuary and coastal zone are the key areas for socio-economic development,and they are also the important channels for pollutants transported to the sea.The construction of the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge changed the hydrodynamic condition of the bay,which made the self-purification capacity of the bay weakened and the pollution in the estuary and adjacent coastal zone become more serious.In this study,55 surface sediment samples were collected from the three seriously polluted estuaries and the adjacent coastal zone of Jiaozhou Bay to comprehensively study how the benthic foraminifera response to heavy metal pollution and human engineering,and to assess the ecological risks of the bay.A total of 80 species,belonging to 42 genera,were identified in this study.The results showed that Cu,Pb,Cr,Hg,Zn,and As had low to median ecological risks in the study area which would definitely affect the ecological system.The construction of the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge has resulted in pollutants accumulated at the river mouth of Loushan River,which has adverse effects on the survival and growth of benthic foraminifera.The lowest population density and diversity as well as the highest FAI(Foraminiferal Abnormality Index)and FMI(Foraminiferal Monitoring Index)occurred at Loushan River Estuary which indicated that the ecological environment of the northeastern part of Jiaozhou Bay(Loushan River Estuary)had been seriously damaged.Licun River and Haipo River estuaries and the adjacent coastal zone were slightly polluted and had low ecological risk.As a consequence,it suggested that the supervision of industrial and domestic waste discharge and the protection of the ecological environment in northeast Jiaozhou Bay should be paid more attention.

Planktic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds in Kangmar,Southern Tibet,China

The planktic foraminifera of the Chuangde Formation （Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds, CORBs） as exposed at Tianbadong section, Kangmar, southern Tibet has been firstly studied for a detailed for a detailed biostratigraphy elaboration. A rich and well-preserved planktic foraminifera were recovered from the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section and the Globotruncanita elevata, Globotruncana ventricosa, Radotruncana calcarata, Globotruncanella havanensis, Globotruncana aegyptiaca, Gansserina gansseri and Abathomphalus mayaroensis zones have been recognized. The planktic foraminiferal assemblage points to an early Campanian to Maastrichitian age for the CORBs of the eastern North Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt, which also provides a better understanding of the shifting progress of the Indian Plate to the north and the evolution of the Neotethyan ocean. The lithostratigraphy of the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section comprises two lithological sequences observed in ascending succession： a lower unit （the Shale Member） mainly composed of purple （cherry-red, violet-red） shales with interbedded siltstones and siliceous rocks; and an upper unit （the Limestone Member） of variegated limestones. The strata of the Chuangde Formation in the Tianbadong section are similar to CORBs in other parts of the northern Tethyan Himalaya area of Asia （Gyangze, Sa＇gya, Sangdanlin, northern Zanskar, etc.）. The fossil contents of the Chuangde Formation in the sections （CORBs） studied provide a means of correlation with the zonation schemes for those of the northern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt and the Upper Cretaceous of the southern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt. Paleogeographic reconstruction for the Late Cretaceous indicates that the Upper Cretaceous Chuangde Formation （CORBs） and correlatable strata in northern Zanskar were representative of slope to basinal deposits, which were situated in the northern Tethyan Belt. Correlatable Cretaceous strata in Spiti and Gamba situated in the southern Tethyan Belt in contrast were deposited in shelf environments along the Tethyan Himalayan passive margin. CORBs are most likely formed by the oxidation of Fe（II）-enriched, anoxic deep ocean water near the chemocline that separated the oxic oceanic surface from the anoxic.

Late Cretaceous Foraminiferal Faunas from the Saiqu“mélange”in Southern Tibet

As one of the mélanges in the southern side of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone, the Saiqu mélange in southern Tibet is important for understanding the evolution of the Neo-Tethys ocean. The age of the Saiqu mélange, however, has been debated due to the lack of reliable fossil evidence in matrix strata. Based on lithological similarities with platform strata in southern Tibet and limited fossils from exotic blocks, previous studies variously ascribed the Saiqu mélange to be Triassic in general, Late Triassic, or Late Cretaceous. Here we reported planktonic foraminiferal faunas from the matrix strata of the Saiqu mélange. The new fossils yield a Late Cretaceous age, which is so far the best age constraint for the mélange. Regional stratigraphic correlation indicates that the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds （CORBs） in Saiqu may be time equivalent to the CORBs of the Zongzhuo Formation in neighboring regions. Thus the Saiqu m^lange should be correlated to the Upper Cretaceous Zongzhuo Formation rather than the Triassic Xiukang Group, as previously suggested.

Paleoenvironmental changes during the late Quaternary as inferred from foraminifera assemblages in the Laizhou Bay

Controlled by climate changes, there were three large-scale transgressions and regressions around the Bohai Sea during the late Quaternary, which were accepted by most geologists. However, a big controversy still exists about the time when the transgressions occurred separately. In order to find out the process of the paleoenvironmental changes around the Bohai Sea in the late Quaternary, the foraminifera assemblages from a new borehole Lz908 in the southern coast of the Laizhou Bay were studied, and then the transgressive strata were indentified. Combined with accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon 14C（AMS14C） and optically stimulated luminescence（OSL） ages, the occurrence time of these transgressions were re-determined. The result showed that three major large-scale transgressions occurred separately at the beginning of marine isotopic stage 7（MIS7）, the last interglacial period（MIS5） and the Holocene. In addition, a small-scale transgression occurred in the mid-MIS6, and the corresponding transgressive stratum was deposited. The transgressive deposition of MIS3 was also discovered in this study. However, the characteristics of the foraminifera indicated the environment during this period was colder than that in the MIS5. By comparison with the global sea-level changes, the paleoenvironmental changes around the Bohai Sea in the late Quaternary can be consistent with the global climate changes.

Geochemistry of trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopes of foraminifera shell from the Okinawa Trough

Trace elemental associations and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions are of important to recognition of biogenic material from mixed marine sediments. The foraminifera shell from the Okinawa Trough strongly enriches Sr,P,Mn and Ba, enriches Li,U,Th,Sc,Co,Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr,Rb,Y,Sb and light rare earth elements,slightly enriches V,Ga,Zr,Nb,Cd and middle rare earth elements,is short of Mo,In,Sn,Cs,Hf,Ta,W,Ti,Bi and heavy rare earth elements. The mechanism of elemental enrichment in forminifera is the concentrations of trace elements in sea water and selective absorption of trace elements during foraminifera living, as well as the geochemical affinity between major elements and trace elements.The REE (rare earth elements)partition pattern of foraminifera shell of the Okinawa Trough shows enrichment of middle rare earth elements with slightly negative Ce anomaly,which are different from those of foraminifera of the Pacific Ocean.The Sr,Nd isotopic ratios of the Okinawa Trough foraminifera are 0 709 769 and 0 512 162,respectively, which are different not only from those of oceanic water, but also from those of river water of China's Mainland, the former is slightly higher than those of oceanic water,but much lower than those of river water;the latter is slightly lower than those of oceanic water,but higher than those of river water,demonstrating that the Okinawa Trough sea water has been influenced by river water of China's Mainland.

Eocene Planktonic Foraminifera and the Age of the Youngest Marine Sediments in Tuna,Yadong,Southern Tibet

1 Introduction The collision evolution between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate is one of the significant geological events since the Mesozoic.It has profoundly influenced the global tectonic framework and led to the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,which has attracted extensive attention of global geologists and become a research hotspot(Butler,1995;Li and Wan,2003a and b;Wang et al.,2003;Aitchison et al.,2007).

Cenomanian-Coniacian Sea-level Change and Dissolved Oxygen Fluctuations in Tethys-Himalaya: Evidences from Benthic Foraminifera of Gamba, Tibet

Benthic foraminifera, preserved in the Late Cretaceous organic carbon-rich sediments of Gamba, southern Tibet, provide high-resolution proxies for sea-level changes and dissolved oxygen fluctuations of southeastern Tethys. The fossils were statistically analyzed and divided into three faunas of ＂Cenomanian fauna＂, ＂Turonian fauna＂, and ＂Coniacian fauna＂. A middle neritic-upper bathal environment （50-250m） was estimated considering the ratios of planktonic and epifaunal benthic foraminifera （P/（P＋E））, the morphological analysis according to the studies of recent foraminifera and the abundant distributions of depth-related species such as Alabamina creta, Laevidentalina sp., Praebulimina spp., Pleurostomella cf. naranjoensis, Pyrulina sp., Quinqueloculina spp., Haplophragmoides spp., etc. The result shows an almost parallel trend with the global transgressive and regressive cycles, but the former fluctuates more frequently at upper Cenomanian, which probably indicates tectonic instability of the continental margin. According to the benthic foraminiferal richness （BFN）, Shannon-Weiner diversity （H（s））, as well as benthic foraminiferal oxygen index （BFOI）, five periods of oxygen depleted conditions （dysoxic-anoxic） have been recognized. They correspond to the OAE2, the lower Turonian, the upper Turonian, the Turonian- Caniacian boundary event and the probably OAE3. In addition, the oxygen fluctuations in Gamba might be controlled directly by sea-level changes, while the paleoproductivity and oxygen conditions interacted with each other under oxygen deficiency environments.

The Maastrichtian-Danian in the SW Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt(S. Iran):An Integration of Planktonic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

In this study, the Maastrichtian-Danian boundary was measured and sampled in two stratigraphic sections, the north and south flanks of the Dehnow anticline in Coastal Fars, Southern Iran. This boundary was also investigated in the drilled exploratory well-1 in the same region. The lithology of the Maastrichtian-Danian deposits consists of glauconitic, phosphatic argillaceous limestones and marlstones. 30 genera and 77 species of planktonic foraminifera have been determined. The recognized biozones are the Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone, and the Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone, which indicates latest Campanian to middle Maastrichtian age for the upper part of the Gurpi Formation. In addition, the Eoglobigerina edita(P1) Partial Range Zone, Praemurica uncinata(P2) Lowest Occurrence Zone, Morozovella angulata(P3) Lowest Occurrence Zone and Globanomalina psudomenardii(P4) Taxon Range Zone represent a Danian to Thanetian age for the lower part of the Pabdeh Formation. From the absence of the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone, Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone, Pseudotextularia elegans Interval Zone, Plummerita hantkeninoides Interval Zone, Guembelitria cretacea(P0) Partial Range Zone and Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina(Pα) Total Range Zone, it can be deduced that there is a paraconformity across the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary in the studied area, this hiatus encompassing the late Maastrichtian and the earliest Danian. Danian deposits from the study area contain reworked glauconitized macrofossils, planktonic and benthic foraminifera of the Cretaceous. The obtained surface gamma-ray spectrometry logs resemble the exploratory well-1 gamma-ray wireline log.

Revisiting the dependence of thermocline-dwelling foraminiferal B/Ca on temperature and [CO32-], and its application in reconstruction of the subsurface carbonate system in the tropical western Pacific since 24 ka

The B/Ca ratio of planktonic foraminifer shells has been used as a proxy for reconstructing past ocean carbonate chemistry. However, recent studies have revealed significant uncertainties associated with this proxy, such as whether seawater temperature or [CO^2-3 ] is the dominant control on the partition coefficient (KD) of planktonic foraminiferal B/Ca. To address these uncertainties and thus improve our understanding of the planktonic foraminiferal B/Ca proxy, we analysed B/Ca ratios in the tests of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei (300- 355 μm) and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata (355- 400 μm) in surface sediment samples from the tropical western Pacific and South China Sea. The relationship between these B/Ca ratios and bottom water calcite saturation states (Δ[CO^2-3 ]) is weak, thus suggesting only a small dissolution effect on the B/Ca of the two species. The correlation coefficients (R2) between the B/Ca ratios of N. dutertrei and P. obliquiloculata and environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, salinity, phosphate, DIC and ALK) in the tropical western Pacific and South China Sea are not high enough to justify using B/Ca ratios as a palaeoenvironmental proxy in the study areas. The significant correlation between KD values of N. dutertrei and P. obliquiloculata and carbonate system parameters (e.g.,[CO^2-3 ], DIC, ALK, pH and [HCO^-3 ]) in the study area reflect chemical links between the KD denominator and these variables. Based on our surface sediment calibration, an empirical relationship between the KD of N. dutertrei and temperature is proposed in the tropical western Pacific. We also generated a record of B/Ca ratios in N. dutertrei (300 -355 μm) from Core MD06-3052 in the tropical western Pacific over the past 24 ka to evaluate the application of the revised B/Ca proxy method. Based on the reconstructed empirical relationship for B/Ca and subsurface seawater ALK, we estimated subsurface seawater carbonate system parameters in the tropical western Pacific since 24 ka. In general, the estimated subsurface seawater pH and [CO^2-3 ] show an increase with time, and the record of subsurface seawater pCO2 shows a decrease with time, in the tropical western Pacific over the past 24 ka. The consistent trends in subsurface seawater pCO2 and opal flux during deglaciation may imply that the reported increase in subsurface water pCO2 in the study area was promoted by enhanced upwelling in the Southern Ocean.

Observations of contrasted glacial-interglacial dissolution of foraminifera above the lysocline in the Bay of Bengal,northeastern Indian Ocean

Site U1446(19°50’N,85°44’E,at water depth 1430 m)was drilled during Expedition 353(Indian monsoon rainfall)of the International Ocean Discovery Program(IODP).It is located in the Mahanadi offshore basin,on the northern Bay of Bengal.Sedimentation rates and contents of biocarbonates are high at this relatively shallow site.Using a micropaleontological approach,we examined planktonic and benthic foraminifera in the upper around 40 m of this site,spanning the last around 190 ka.A striking feature of the foraminiferal record is the occurrence of strong but varying dissolution although the site is located well above the modern lysocline.Such strong dissolution has never been reported in this area.We estimated the flux of foraminifera and quantified the ratio of benthic foraminifera over total foraminifera(benthic/total foraminifera)along with the foraminifer fragmentation index in order to characterize past changes in this above-lysocline dissolution.This study reveals a clear glacialinterglacial contrast,with a stronger dissolution during marine isotope stages(MISs)1 and 5 than during MISs 2–4 and 6.Such a difference in preservation is likely to have a strong impact on geochemical proxies measured on foraminifera.Our new observations call for an in-depth study of the causes of such above-lysocline dissolution in the region,and an evaluation of its impact on the foraminifera-based proxies used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

Larger Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Facies Analysis of the Oligocene–Miocene Asmari Formation in the Western Fars Sub-basin, Zagros Mountains, Iran

The Oligocene–Miocene carbonate record of the Zagros Mountains, known as the Asmari Formation, constitutes an important hydrocarbon reservoir in southern Iran. This marine carbonate succession, which developed under tropical conditions, is explored in terms of larger foraminiferal biostratigraphy, facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy in a new section at Papoon cropping out in the western Fars sub-basin, in the south-east of the Zagros belt. Facies analysis shows evidence of re-working and transport of skeletal components throughout the depositional system, interpreted here as a carbonate ramp. The foraminifera-based biozones identified include the Globigerina–Turborotalia cerroazulensis–Hantkenina Zone and Nummulites vascus–Nummulites fichteli Zone, both of Rupelian age, the Archaias asmaricus–Archaias hensoni–Miogypsinoides complanatus Zone of Chattian age and the ‘Indeterminate’ Zone of Aquitanian age. The vertical sedimentary evolution of the formation exhibits a progressive shallowing of the facies belts and thus the succession is interpreted as a high-rank low-order regressive systems tract. This long-lasting Rupelian–Aquitanian regressive event is in accordance with accepted global long-term eustatic curves. Accordingly, long-term eustatic trends would have been a factor controlling accommodation during the deposition of the Asmari Formation studied in the western Fars sub-basin.

Late Cretaceous-Early Paleogene Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy in Xishan,Gamba,Southern Tibet,China

1 Introduction The Cretaceous/Tertiary(Paleogene)extinction event was a mass extinction event occurring at about 65 million years ago between the Mesozoic Cretaceous and Cenozoic Tertiary,which is the one closest to today among the five major extinction events in the the geological history period(Renne et al.,2013).At the end of the Cretaceous,the proportion of species declined gradually.

The Changhsingian Foraminiferal Fauna of the Meishan D Section, Zhejiang, China, and their Ecostratigraphic Implications

Samples were collected continuously and systematically from Beds 2 to 30 of the Meishan D section, and nearly 4,000 foraminiferal specimens were recognized. In total, 72 species （partially including undetermined species and conformis species） in 34 genera of foraminifers were identified. Twelve foraminiferal community zones were established from Beds 2 to 27 based on the abundance, dominance, diversity, and equitability of the foraminiferal fauna and a functional morphological analysis of the dominant and characteristic species. The habitat type indicated by each community zone and the sedimentary features were used to determine the paleo-water depths and the relative changes in sea level. We generated curves of both the habitat type and the hydrodynamic conditions, which together indicate the relative changes in the paleo-water depth and the substrate features in the studied area during the Changhsingian. This study discusses the possible relationship between the foraminiferal community zones and the sea-level changes based on a statistical analysis of the foraminiferal community zones.

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Mobarak Formation (Lower Carboniferous) in Kiyasar Area,SE Sari,Northern Iran

The Mobarak Formation is near the town of Kiyasar in the south-east of Sari city, northern Iran. This formation conformably overlies the Geirud Formation （Upper Devonian）. The lower part of the Mobarak Formation consisting of shales and thin- to medium-bedded limestone toward the top of these sequences changes into alternations of dark limestone and interbedded gray to black shales. Weathered yellow thick-bedded shales are observed at the top of the section. This formation is covered unconformably by sandstones attributed to the Dorud Formation （Lower Permian）. The thickness of the formation in this region is 250 m. Four rock units have been recognized in this section. Foraminiferai biostratigraphy shows that the age of the Mobarak Formation in the Kiaysar region ranges from Lower Tournaisian to Early Middle Visean. The foraminifer Zones FAZ1 and FAZ2 are correlated with the Lower Tournaisian and Upper Tournaisian, whereas Zones FAZ3 and FAZ4 correlate with the Visean. Affinities exist between specimens recorded in the Kiyasar section with species known from other regions in eastern and Central Alborz, but there are important differences in their appearance.

NGS-metabarcoding revealing novel foraminiferal diversity in the Western Pacific Magellan Seamount sediments

Seamount is a unique deep-sea ecosystem widely distributed in the world.Its biodiversity is vibrant due to its specific geographical and hydrological conditions.However,the diversity and features of foraminifera in such an environment have rarely been studied.We extracted environmental DNA(eDNA)in sedime nts and amplified the partial small subunit ribo somal DNA(SSU rDNA)of fo raminife ra to understand the foraminiferal diversity from four sites in Magellan Seamount(Western Pacific Ocean).Partial S SU rDNA sequencing was conducted and 912979 foraminiferal reads were obtained and gathered into 266 operational taxonomic units(OTUs).In the available dataset,a high proportion of rare OTUs and low identity OTUs in each studied sample showed that the Magellan Seamount foraminiferal community might have a high genetic novelty.The relative abundance of foraminifera varied between replicates probably due to the existence of bias in amplification process and patchiness of the deep-sea floor.It showed that the Magellan Seamount has a relatively high benthic foraminiferal diversity characterized mainly by monothalamiids(76.37%of total reads)in association with rotaliids(19.03%of total reads),including planktic foraminiferal sequences(38.58%of rotaliids;7.36%of total reads).The remaining reads were assigned to miliolids(0.83%of total reads)and textulariids(0.66%of total reads),and 3.11%of total reads are unassigned to a specific family.The co mparative analysis with foraminiferal assemblage s from coastal and deep-sea environme nts indicated that seamounts could aggregate species from a nearby deep-sea.

The Response of Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblages to Copper Exposure: A Pilot Mesocosm Investigation

Controlled experiments, including mesocosms and laboratory cultures, are used to identify a potential speci?c cause- effect relationship that has been previously inferred in field studies. In this study, a series of mesocosm experiments are carried out to assess the impact of different concentrations of copper on benthic foraminiferal assemblages over time. This pilot investigation documents that Cu contamination has a detrimental effect on foraminifera when compared to original and control samples. In particular, increased concentrations of Cu (normally higher than 120 μg/l) lead to a lowering of foraminiferal density and diversity and an increased occurrence of abnormalities. This study thus supports that the use of an experimental approach is suitable for investigating the response of benthic foraminifera to stress including pollution. Moreover, the application of mesocosms represents an innovative tool to be placed alongside field studies and culture experiments.

A Study of Foraminifera in the core NP93－2 from the prydz Bay， Antarctica

analyses of foraminiferal fauna in the core np93-2 of the prydz bay,Antarctica shows that the sediments are rich in foraminifera in which planktonic Foraminifera make up 26. 3% of the total number of foraminifera and the arenaceous Agglutinated benthic foraminiferal assemblages are prevailing with 57. 9% of total Number of benthic foraminifera. The typical benthic foraminiferal assemblage of Iammina arenacea represents an assemblage of deep-water arenaceous agglutinated.Variations of content of warm and cold species of planktonic foraminifera reflect the Paleoclirnatic changes and also reveal the paleo-environmental changes in this region andIts relationship with the global changes. Other paleoceanographic and Paleoclimatological questions, such as water depth, carbonate dissolution are also discussed.

Benthic Foraminiferal Density,Species Composition and Biomass in Deep-Sea Atlantic Mediterranean Transect(Transmed Cruise,2007):Preliminary Results

Previous studies on deep modern benthic foraminifera in the Mediterranean Sea are not abundant and generally are focused at the fossilizing polythalamous component of the foraminiferal assemblages.We present preliminary results of living(Rose Bengal stained)benthic foraminiferal faunas in bathyal and abyssal sediments.Benthic foraminiferal density, species composition and biomass are determined at 10 sites across a transect from the

Foraminiferal Changes and Response to the Channel Diversion and Discharge Fluctuation of the Yellow River in the North Yellow Sea During the Past Century

Diversion of the Yellow River is a unique geological event in offshore China,causing changes of the sedimentary environment in eastern China Seas.The last diversion took place in AD 1855,with the estuary diverted from the Yellow Sea into the Bohai Sea.The identification of the river diversion events in the shelf sediments would not only provide the definite ages for the sediments,but also give a clue for better understanding of the sedimentation in that area.In this study,210 Pb,grain size,geochemical element,and foraminiferal data in core H205 from the north Yellow Sea were systematically investigated.A high-resolution sedimentary record was established,which was coupled with the Yellow River diversion and runoff changes.The results show that the foraminiferal composition and foraminiferal abundance of the sediments from the north Yellow Sea had good response to the Yellow River diversion in 1855.Before the change,shallow water assemblages dominated the foraminifera,and the abundance of each foraminiferal species was very low.After the diversion event,the abundance of most foraminifera increased sharply,with a maximum increase of 16 times,and the assemblage was still dominated by shallow water species.Furthermore,the changes in foraminiferal abundance in the core sediments corresponded well with the discharge fluctuation of the Yellow River since 1855.When the Yellow River began entering the Bohai Sea,the Yellow River water,which is rich in nutrients,along with the coastal currents affected the north Yellow Sea,increased the primary productivity in the north Yellow Sea,which is the main reason for the abrupt increase and fluctuation of foraminiferal abundance in this area.At the meantime,the East Asian winter monsoon could also promote the development of nearshore foraminiferal species by enhancing the coastal currents.